Hutch Chamber
The NJCAA has announced an important schedule update for the 2026 NJCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: The Championship game on Saturday, March 28, will now tip off at 3:00 p.m., moving from its previously scheduled time. Fans, teams, and community members are encouraged to note this change as they prepare for the Championship’s final day.
NJCAA Men’s Division I basketball returns to the Sports Arena March 21–28 for its 78th consecutive year of championship action. The Championship begins Saturday, March 21, with first-round games tipping off at noon. Games continue daily through Wednesday, showcasing top-tier competition from across the country. Thursday serves as a rest day for teams and will feature the annual Championship Luncheon for the final four teams, hosted at the Crystal Ballroom.
Championship play resumes Friday, March 27, with the always-anticipated semifinal matchups. The event culminates Saturday, March 28, with the Championship game now scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Fans unable to attend in person can still enjoy every moment as the title game will air live on ESPN-U.
The current top five teams heading into this year’s playoffs include:
- Snow College (UT)
- Indian Hills C.C. (IA)
- College of Southern Idaho (ID)
- Howard College (TX)
- Trinity Valley C.C. (TX) – Reigning Champions